“We are prepared,” said Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao regarding HMPV

Amid growing concerns about Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao reassured the public that the state is prepared to manage the situation and urged people not to panic. “We are ready. All districts have been advised to stay alert. I urge everyone not to panic. While this virus can spread, it is not dangerous and is treatable,” Rao told.

She also encouraged people to maintain good health during the winter months. “With winter here, the risk of pneumonia increases, so I advise everyone to get a mucus test if they have symptoms. Additionally, they should practice good hand hygiene, just like we did during the Covid-19 pandemic,” she added.

On January 12, Assam reported its first case of HMPV when a 10-month-old child tested positive for the virus, according to local officials. Dhruv Jyoti Bhuiyan, Superintendent of Assam Medical College and Hospital, confirmed the diagnosis, noting that the child, who showed symptoms such as a cough, was doing well. “The test was routine, and the results came back positive. However, there is no cause for concern, as the child is perfectly fine,” Bhuiyan said.

HMPV was first identified in 2001. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on January 9 that there has been a rise in acute respiratory infections, including HMPV, in the Northern Hemisphere, following typical seasonal trends. The WHO stated that while these increases in infections are being observed across many countries, they are not unusual and are typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory viruses like seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and HMPV, as well as mycoplasma pneumonia. The WHO also highlighted that the co-circulation of multiple respiratory viruses during the winter season could put additional strain on healthcare systems.